How to Protect Your Website from Hackers in 2024

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How to Protect Your Website from Hackers in 2024

According to statistics, around 10.8 million websites get hacked every year. So, if you are assuming that your website is safe, you are wrong. Hackers are coming up with new ways to get access to your site. And if they are successful, it will not only affect your business financially but also tarnish your reputation in the market. Because of this reason, it is important to keep your website security up to date.

In this article, we’ll discuss about the security measures you can adopt and show you how to protect your website from hackers.

Why Protect Website from Hackers?

Your website holds value, not just for you and your visitors but also for potential attackers. Even if your site is small, hackers may still find ways to exploit it for their gain, such as selling illegal goods or engaging in other illicit activities. Because of this reason, it is important to protect the website from hackers.

Moreover, as a website owner, it is your responsibility to prioritize the protection of your users' data and identities. Visitors trust your site when they visit, and it's essential to show consideration for their security and privacy by making sure strong website security measures are in place.

How Websites Get Hacked?

Understanding how hackers target websites is important before you take steps to protect yours. Many websites become vulnerable due to,

  • Weak passwords
  • Wrong file permissions
  • Unsecure web hosting
  • Unpatched gaps in security
  • Poor security practices
  • Using outdated versions of software, plugins, or themes

Every website is at risk of cyber-attacks, with WordPress being a common target due to its widespread use as a Content Management System (CMS).

If you don’t address these vulnerabilities, your website could face,

  • Brute force attacks
  • SQL injections
  • Cross-site scripting (XSS)
  • Social engineering
  • Ransomware

This could lead to issues like data breaches and exposing sensitive information.

If you want to create a safe and secure business website, Hocoos can help. It is an AI website builder that creates websites from scratch without any code. The best part is that Hocoos websites come with the latest security features and updates. This means you can not only create a website but also secure it on the go for free.

How to Protect Your Website from Hackers?

If you are wondering how to protect your website from hackers, simply follow these 10 effective tips and best practices:

Set up HTTPS encryption with an SSL certificate

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is important for securing the exchange of data between your website and its visitors.

By encrypting all transmitted information, HTTPS prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data entered on your site, such as personal details or payment information.

HTTPS ensures that any information inputted by visitors, like addresses, names, or payment details, remains secure during transmission.

Also, the presence of HTTPS reassures visitors that your website prioritizes security and safeguards their data.

To enable HTTPS, simply install an SSL certificate onto your website. Most hosting providers offer straightforward methods for doing this through their control panels.

Select a reliable web hosting provider

One of the easiest ways to protect a website from hackers is to choose a secure web hosting provider. Think of them as the caretakers of your online presence, reliable for keeping your website's files and data securely on their servers.

It is important to choose a trusted provider because they invest in advanced security tools such as detection systems, firewalls, and malware scanners. These defenses safeguard their servers and, eventually, your website against a range of threats.

Also, good providers ensure their software and systems are promptly updated. This foresighted strategy reduces the chance of your site falling victim to exploitation through outdated software vulnerabilities.

Some hosting services offer recovery solutions and automatic backup. This means that in the event of an attack or unanticipated incident, your website data can be swiftly restored.

Make sure all software, plugins, and themes are up-to-date

For WordPress users, it's essential to regularly update your core plugins, software, and themes.

Studies show that outdated plugins account for approximately 56% of attacks on WordPress sites. Why update? Updates typically include:

· Security patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.

· New features to further improve your site's functionality.

· Bug fixes to enhance performance and prevent website downtime.

Make it a routine to check for updates frequently and install them promptly to protect the website from hackers. Remember, a couple of minutes you spend updating now can preclude hours of stress and possible security breaches in the future.

Adopt strong password policies

The main line of defense against unwanted admission to your website is a strong password. Using complicated and distinctive passwords makes it more difficult for hackers to access your system.

Data breaches are frequently the result of weak passwords. Robust password policies help to protect websites from hackers. For increased security, think about putting two-factor authentication (2FA) into place.

Users using 2FA are required to authenticate themselves with a second factor, like a code texted to their phone. This increases the difficulty greatly for attackers to access data, even in the event that they manage to crack the password.

Use a web application firewall (WAF)

Like a security guard, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) stands between the internet and your website.

The purpose of WAFs is to recognize and prevent typical web application threats such as SQL injection, code injection, and cross-site scripting (XSS).

With their ability to discriminate between harmful threats and genuine users, WAFs reduce false positives significantly more than traditional firewalls because of their unique ability to comprehend website traffic.

Furthermore, WAFs keep a close eye on website traffic, which helps them quickly identify and stop threats in real-time.

Compare features and costs between providers to find the one that best suits your website's needs and your company's budget.

Manage user access and permissions

Restricting access to specific areas and operations according to user responsibilities is essential to protect websites from hackers.

WordPress and other content management systems (CMS) offer predefined user roles with varying levels of access. Based on their requirements, assign users to roles.

Developers can design customized access control systems for bespoke websites, specifying different user groups' permissions.

Additionally, you must routinely update and review user access rights to reflect their actual roles and responsibilities. Additionally, make sure users have access to just the minimal amount of information needed to complete their duties.

Regularly back to your website

It's critical to have up-to-date backups of your website in case of server outages, cyberattacks, or inadvertent removals. To schedule automatic backups, look at settings in your hosting control panel or pick a web host with built-in backup capabilities.

Backup plugins are another useful tool for safely storing and automating backups. Make a manual backup of your website by utilizing FTP clients or tools from your hosting provider to download files and databases.

It is advisable to store backup files in locations apart from your website to avoid data loss in the event of server failures or hacking attempts. To increase security, keep several backups.

Manage file uploads and keep an eye on content

Enabling file uploads on your website may put consumers' security at risk. You must indicate which file types are allowed for upload to your website in order to reduce these dangers.

In order to stop users from uploading excessively huge files, you should also specify sensible maximum file sizes. It's also a good idea to routinely scan uploaded materials, particularly user-generated content, for improper or malicious files.

Carry out routine security assessments

Many webmasters underestimate the danger of hacking because they think there is no way hackers could target their tiny websites. That being said, this is untrue. Many factors can lead to hacks, and even if your website doesn't contain sensitive user information, its SEO authority may make it vulnerable to phishing attempts.

Frequent security audits assist in identifying risky behaviors and protect websites from hackers. Keep an eye on website activity to avoid future problems and potential security breaches. One way to do this is by examining user actions through an activity log.

Encourage staff members to learn about cybersecurity

Everyone, not just one person, is involved in ensuring the security of websites. Establishing a culture of cybersecurity knowledge among all employees is crucial, in addition to putting security measures into place.

You can hold frequent security training sessions that go over things like creating strong passwords, spotting phishing emails, and managing private information safely.

In order to keep staff members up to date on the most recent cybersecurity dangers and best practices, you should also give them materials like articles, videos, or online courses.

Finally, use phishing simulations to generate realistic scenarios that will test workers' awareness and provide insightful learning experiences in a safe environment.

Conclusion

To stop hackers and harmful assaults, you must be vigilant and take proactive measures to secure your website. Recall that keeping your website safe is a continuous process because the threats that affect it are constantly evolving.

It's critical to understand that there isn't a single way to keep websites safe from hackers. Any assertion to the contrary is untrue. However, you may effectively protect your website from hackers by adhering to the 10 website security tips detailed in this guide.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

How to Protect Your Website from Hackers in 2024